Liquid expulsion system



LIQUID EXPULS ION SYSTEM Filed Jan.

4 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR. $186797 1. YOU/V6 BY Wm i7 JTTOf/VKJE 1965 A. L. YOUNG 3,202,326

LIQUID EXPULSION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 14, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6 156767 A. YOK/A/G' Aug. 1965 A. L. YOUNG 3,202,326

LIQUID EXPULSION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 14, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. flla'ref A YOU/V6 Aug. 24, 1965 A. L. YOUNG LIQUID EXPULSION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 14, 1964 INVENTOR. 02846187 1 YOU/VG United States Patent 3,202,326 LIQUID EXPUL'SEON SYSTEM Albert L. Young, Roliing Hilts Estates, Los Angeles,

Calif, assignor to the United States of America as represented hy the decretary of the Air Force Filed Jan. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 337,6fl1 11 Claims. (Cl. ZZZ-386.5)

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and more particularly to liquid dispensing apparatus, having for an object the elimination of the swashing of liquids within spherical containers and to eliminate center of gravity (C.G.) shift of fluid along two or three axes during the expulsion of the fluid from the container independent of tank accelerations in any direction.

A further object is the provision of a spherical pressure-tight container or tank having means for retaining a fluid, or two fluids, in a confined position during a complete expulsion cycle thereof while eliminating swashing and CG. shift of the fluids caused by induced G loadings of the container. The term G loading is intended to mean the load exerted by a force equivalent to that required to accelerate or decelerate any freely movable body at the rate of approximately 32.16 ft. per sec. per. see.

A still further object includes the provision of means for introducing a compressing fluid into the container to expel a liquid fluid from the container, and vane means for separating the liquid fluid from the compressible fluid during the complete expulsion of the liquid fluid from the container including means connected between the con tainer and the vane means for stabilizing the vane means during the expulsion of the liquid to prevent swashing and CG. shift of the liquid in the spherical container at all times caused by induced G loadings of the container.

A further object of the invention includes a pair of semicircular vane members mounted on an axis through the center of a spherical container for contiguous movement to the inner surface of the container toward each other in stabilized relation to the container and a flexible impervious liquid bladder filling the space between the vanes and the inner surface of the container adapted to contain a liquid to be discharged therefrom during movement of the vane members toward each other, whereby to prevent swashing and CG. shift of the bladder or the liquid therein at all times caused by induced G loading of the spherical container in all directions.

A further object includes a spherical container divided by a bulkhead, including a butterfly type vane with a flexure along one axis attached to the bulkhead and having means extending perpendicularly from the center of the bulkhead to the inner surface of the spherical container including a cross head slide member thereon connected to the vane portions at opposite sides of the fiexure axis for maintaining the vane member in stabilized relation to the container during movement thereof including means for controlling the stabilized movement of the vane portions toward each other under fluid sealed contiguous relation to the inner surface of the container and means for completely filling the space between the vane portions at opposite sides of the flexure axis with liquid and discharging the liquid therefrom, whereby shift of the vane portions relative to the spherical container and swashing and CG. shift of the liquid therebetween caused by G loading of the container in any direction is eliminated. A further object includes the provision of a substantially hemispherical bladder member disposed between the vane member and the inner hemispherical surface of the container adapted to receive and contain a liquid fluid and having a liquid discharge outlet therein through the wall of the container in a plane substantially perpendicular to the bulkhead.

A further object includes a U-shaped elongated strip slightly shorter than the vane diameter attached on the outer surface of the vane along the flexure axis thereof to prevent the vane from bending too sharply and destroying the sealing action between the periphery of the vane member and the inner surface of the spherical container during movements of the vane portions about the flexure axis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will readily become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts in the severalfigures.

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view through a spherical container incorporating the invention, having liquid fluid or fuel receiving cells of substantially hemispherical shape at opposite sides of its diameter with a bulkhead therebetween, and showing a slightly different mounting of the vanes on the bulkhead at their flexure lines at the opposite sides of the bulkhead for expulsion of the liquid from the cells. The dotted lines showing different adjusted positions of the vane members.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detailed view of one of the vane members and its stabilizing means wherein hinges are substituted between the vane portions and the stabilizing cross-head member and its interconnecting link members or arms instead of flexure joints.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken about on a plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, part of the vane member being broken away to show the bulkhead panel member between the vanes.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional View, similar to FIG. 1, showing a modified embodiment of the invention incorporating a substantially hemispherical bladder member for receiving and dispensing a liquid fluid from the container while in stabilized isolated relation to the spherical con tainer.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken about on the plane indicated by line 5-5 in FIG. 4, but with the upper portion of the spherical container shown in elevation, and a portion of the liquid fluid receiving bladder broken away to show one form of discharge outlet therefrom.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 1 to 3 the reference numeral 1 denotes a spherical receptacle or container comprising two hemispherical halves 2 and 3 secured together at their flanged peripheries 2a and 3a and a circular bulkhead 4 is secured across the interior of the spherical container preferably between the flanges 2a and 3a as shown in FIG. 1.

The inner surface of the spherical container, indicated at 5, is smooth, spherical and uninterrupted except by the bulkhead or panel 4.

The reference numerals 6 and 7 indicate two vane members of substantially circular shape with their peripheries 6a and 7a disposed substantially in contiguous relation to the inner surface 5, these peripheral portions 6a and 7a carrying annular resilient, rubber-like sealing rings or strips 8 and 9.

The vane members 6 and 7 have bending or flexure portions or lines 10 and 11 dividing the vane members 6 and 7 each into two semicircular, or substantially semicircular vane portions 6'-6 and 77'.

Fixed U-shaped flexure strips indicated at 12 and 13 extend across the diameter of the spherical container 1 along the flexure lines 10 and 11 of the vane members 6 and 7 terminating at their ends adjacent to but spaced from the inner wall 5 to accommodate movement of the annular sealing strips 8 and 9 across the surface 5.

The surface of the vane members along the flexure lines may be secured by the U-shaped strips 12 or 13 directly in contact with the surface of the bulkhead in any suitable manner, as seen in the right-hand portion of FIG. 1 and'air or fluid under pressure is admitted through and by suitable pressure fluid supply means 14, or the flexure zone to of the vane 6, as seen in the left half 2 of the container 1, is slightly spaced from the bulkhead 4 by a suitable elongated U-shaped supporting strip 15, apertured therethrough, and fixed to the bulkhead 4 and extending across the bulkhead nearly to the inner surface of the spherical container.

Suitable rod or elongated rigid guide members 16 and 17 project in diametrically opposite directions from the centers of the U-shaped flexure strips perpendicular to the bulkhead with their outer ends suitably secured in the wall of the container, substantially, as shown.

Suitable fiuid or liquid outlet means, indicated at 18 and 19, surround the outer extremities of the rods 16 and 17 for discharging fluid or liquid from the container.

A slide member or cross head is mounted for axial movements on each of the rigid supporting rods 16 and 17 as indicated at 20 and 21, respectively, and elongated strips or brace members 22423 connect the cross heads 20 and 21 to the opposite halves respectively of the vane members 6 and 7 intermediate their fiexure lines and their peripheries; These brace members 22413 are connected intermediate their ends at flexure points 13a to .and around the cross head guide members 20 and 21 in any suitable manner.

The outer ends of the brace members are preferably thinned down and bent forming flexure points 23b secured to the surfaces of each of the half portions of the ..vane members, as shown, in effect forming link like connections between the cross heads (20 or 21) and each half portion of each of the vane members 6 and 7.

As seen in FIG. 2 the vane half portions 7' and the cross head member 21a are shown hinged at 25 to the opposite ends of the stiff link or adjustable brace members Z4, and at 26 to the cross head 21a, the flexure line vof the vane member 7 being shown supported and fixed in slightly spaced relation to the bulkhead 4 to permit an operating pressure fluid to pass freely within the spherical container to the opposite sides of the flexure line or joint between the vane member 7 and the bulkhead 4, these hinge members being indicated at 25 and 26.

The vane members may, of course, be suitably reinforced, if necessary, in any conventional manner to prevent twisting and distortion during the operation of the device.

In the operation fluid is admitted, such as a liquid, for instance through the outlets 13 and 19, which moves or spreads the vane portions 6' and 7 to or substantially up against the bulkhead 4, the brace members 12 causing uniform stabilized movement of the vane members. When it is desired to discharge liquid from the space between the vane portions 6-6' or '7'7' fluid under understood that the vane members are substantially flat or close to the sides of the bulkhead 4, the annular flexible sealing gaskets 8 and 9 around the periphery of the vane members 6 and 7 in contact with the smooth inner surface preventing any leagage of the liquid or fluid around the vane members at all times.

Referring now to the modified embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the spherical container is indicated at 30,

comprising the two hemispherical portions 31 and 32 secured together at their peripheral flanged portions 33 and designed to employ a bladder 34 for receiving, containing and discharging the liquid in isolated relation to gig, the smooth inner surface 35 of the spherical container Edi) through a suitable discharge outlet 36.

As shown the vane members are similar to the vane members 6 and '7, and indicated at 37 and 38, having a bending or fiexure line indicated at 3% fixed against a transverse center strip 40 extending across the container 3t) and stabilized in position by guide members or rod portions 41 and 4-2 having their outer ends secured to the opposite sides of the container at 43 in the plane of the flanges 33;

The thinner or flexure zones 39 across the vane members 37 and 38 are secured against the elongated supporting strip Al by the U-shaped flexure strip members 44 and 44a in any suitable manner similar to the strips 12 and 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the U-shaped strip 44 having an elongated guide rod 45 extending therefrom perpendicular to the plane of the flanges 33 and the longitudinal dimension of the U-shaped strip 44, its outer end being stabilized in fixed relation at 46 adjacent the fluid pressure outlet portion 47 to stabilize the U-shaped strips 44 and 45 and the vane members along their fiexure lines in the spherical container. The stabilizing guide rod members 41, 42 and 45 each have one of the cross head or slide block members 4%, 49 and 50, respectively, slidable thereon.

Links or stabilizing brace members 51, 52 and 53 are connected at their intermediate flexure points to the cross heads or slide blocks 45;, 49 and St), the outer ends of the link members 51, 52 and 53 being thinned out, bent and secured to the respective vane members at 51a, 52a and 53a substantially as shown in FIG. 4 providing "ad? ditional bending or fiexure lines or zones adjacent the sides of the vane members 37 and 38.

Flexible annular rubber-like gaskets or seals 54 and 55 are disposed around the peripheries of the vane members 3'7 and 38 for slidable fluid sealing contact with the smooth interior surface 35 of the sperical container 30 with the lips extending toward the plane through the flanged portions 33 so that when pressure fiuid, for instance, compressed air, is admitted at 56 or 56 the semicircular portions of the vanes 37 and 38 are moved away from each other, for instance, from the full line positions to the dotted line position as seen in FIG. 4.

During this operation the bladder member 34 will be compressed by the half-sections of the vane member 38 and any liquid within the bladder will be discharged through the outlet 36. However, the rods 41, 42, 45 and links or bendable brace members 51, 52 and 53 maintain the vane members and the bladder and. its'contents in stabilized condition against C.G. shifts induced by G loadings in any direction.

In this form the space between the two halves of the vane member may also contain a liquid or fluid to be dispensed through the outlet 47 in like manner to that shown in FIG. 1 or, if empty, the trapped air or fluid will escape through the outlet 47 as the halves of the vane 37 move toward each other incident to pressure introduced at 56 or 56 between the vane members 37 and 38. Of course, the flexure area of the braces or links around the slide blocks is secured to the blocks in any suitable way, or the brace members may be rigid links hinged at the inner ends to the slide blocks and at their outer ends to the vane members, similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

While no supporting structure is shown for supporting the spherical container, for instance, in fixed relation to a carrier vehicle it is to be understood that any conventional suitable supporting means may be provided.

For purposes of exemplification two particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described to the best understanding thereof.

However, it will be apparent that changes and further modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid dispensing device subject to induced G loading comprising a container having a smooth inner spherical surface, a pair of substantially circular vane members disposed in substantially back-to-back relation across a diameter of said spherical surface with their peripheries in substantially contiguous relation to said spherical surface, said vane members each comprising two semicircular half portions arcuately movable around a substantially common flexure axis across the diameter of the spherical surface toward each other, means between said semicircular half portions of said vane members and said smooth inner spherical surface to prevent liquid leakage around the peripheries of said semicircular half portions, for retaining a liquid fluid between the said semicircular half portions of each vane member and the spherical surface, adjustable stabilizing means connected between the half vane portions of each of the vane members and said container for stabilizing the positions and relative movement of the semicircular half portions of vane members relative to the container and toward each other to discharge a liquid fluid when contained therebetween and prevent swashing and CG. shift of said liquid due to G loading of the container in any direction, whereby movement of said semicircular half vane portions of each vane member toward each other will discharge a liquid contained in said container between the semicircular half-vane portion of each vane member from said container.

2. A liquid dispensing device subject to induced G loadings in any direction comprising a spherical container having a smooth inner spherical surface, a circular vane member mounted in said container having its periphery disposed in substantially contiguous relation to said smooth inner surface, said vane member having a flexure axis across the diameter of said inner spherical surface forming a pair of semicircular vane portions movable from an extended position at opposite sides of said flexure axis substantially in the same plane toward each other toward a plane through said spherical surface perpendicular to the first mentioned plane, liquid sealing means between the inner spherical surface of said container and the peripheries, of said semicircular vane portions for preventing fluid or liquid leakage between said inner spherical surface and the periphery of said vane member, adjustable stabilizing means connected between each of said semicircular vane portions of said vane members and said container for effecting equal and uniform simultaneous movements of said semicircular vane portions relative to said container between the aforesaid first and second mentioned planes, liquid discharge means in the wall of said container substantially midway between said semicircular vane portions and in said second mentioned plane for discharging a liquid from the space between the vane portons of the vane members and the inner surface of the container during movement of said semicircular vane portions toward each other when said semicircular vane portions are moved toward each other in a direction toward said second mentioned plane to discharge the liquid from the container while preventing swashing and CG. shift of the liquid when said container is subjected to accelerations of G loadings in any direction.

3. A liquid dispensing container subject to G loadings in any direction comprising a spherical container having a smooth inner spherical surface, a bulkhead fixed across the diameter of said container dividing the same into two semispherical chambers, 21 pair of circular vane members, one vane member adjacent each face of said bulkhead, said vane members having their peripheries extending in substantially contiguous relation to said smooth inner spherical surface, stabilizing guide rod members extending outwardly in opposite directions to said smooth inner spherical surface in perpendicular relation to said 6 bulkhead having their adjacent ends fixed relative to said bulkhead and their outer extremities fixed to the wall of said container, said vane members each comprising semicircular vane portions movable around a flexure axis eXf tending across the bulkhead in a common plane perpendicular to the bulkhead to form a pair of semicircular vane portions at opposite sides of the bulkhead movable from a substantially flat plane adjacent said bulkhead around said flexure axis toward a plane perpendicular to said bulkhead and adapted to be filled with a liquid therebetween to be dispensed from said container, liquid sealing means between said vane members and said spherical surface to prevent leakage of liquid past the peripheries of said vane members, a cross head slide block member mounted for axial movement on each of said guide rod members, link brace members connecting each of said cross head slide block members to the semicircular vane portions of each of said vane members in radially spaced relation to said flexure axis for stabilizing said vane portions in said container and relative to said container during movement thereof to dispense a liquid introduced in said container between said semicircular vane portions and means for admitting a pressure fluid between the vane members and the bulkhead for moving the semicircular vane portions thereof around their flexure axes toward each other. j V Y 4. A liquid dispensing container subject to accelera tions and G loadings in any direction comp-rising a pressure chamber substantailly circular in cross section, elonegated guide means extending across said chamber in a plane through the central axis thereof with its opposite ends secured to the opposite sides of the chamber, a pair of first and second vane members disposed at the opposite sides of the plane jaforesaid adjacent said elongated guide menas, each vane member having a flexure axis substantially perpendicular to said elongated guide means dividing each of said vane members into two half vane portions at opposite sides of said flexure axes movable toward each other from positions adjacent said elongated guide means toward positions adjacent each other, said half vane portions having theinfree edges disposed in substantially contiguous relations tothe inner surface of said chamber, fluid sealing means between the outer edges of said half-vane portions and the interior of said chamber for preventing fluid leakage therebetween, second elongated guide means projecting substantially from the flexure .axis of one of said vane members to the inner surface of the chamber in a plane perpendicular to the first-mentioned elongated guide means, a pair of slide block means axially slidable on the first mentioned elongated guide means between the flexure axis of that vane member and the inner surface of said chamber, link members connected between the faces of the half vane por tions or" both of said vane members and the slide block means on the first mentioned elongated guide means at opposite sides of the flexure axes, a second slide block means slidable on the second mentioned elongated guide means, a pair of link members connecting said last mentioned slide block means to the opposite faces of .the half vane portions of said one of said vane members for connecting all of said half vane portions together for stabilized simultaneous movement thereof around said flexure axes, means for intordu-cing a pressure fluid into said chamber between said vane members for swinging said half vane portions of both of said vane members in a direction away from said first mentioned elongated guide means to move the half vane portions of each vane member toward each other to dispense a liquid, when introduced into the chamber between the half vane portions of each vane member out of said chamher while resisting swashing and CG. shift of the liquid due to G loading of said container.

5. A liquid dispensing container as set forth in claim 4, including a bladder member having an outlet through the wall of said container adapted to contain a dispens ible liquid, disposed in chamber between the half vane portions of the vane member, opposite the aforesaid one vane member.

6. -In a liquid expulsion system a spherical container, a bulkhead dividing said container into semispherical chambers, a butterfly vane member having a fiexure line along one axis, attached to said bulkhead, with the periphery of said vane member in contiguous liquid and pressure sealing relation with the inner surface of said container, said fiexure line dividing said vane member into two 7 equal vane portions'swingable away from said bulkhead and toward each other around said fiexure line to expel a liquid from the container when contained therein between said equal vane portions as the vane portions are moved toward each other, means for introducing a fluid under pressure between said bulkhead and said equal vane portions for moving the said vane portions toward each other, fixed elongated guide means extending outwardly from said-fiexure line perpendicular to said bulkhead, slide block means axially slidable on said elongated guide means, and rigid link means each connected for swinging movement at one end to said slide block means and connected at .their opposite ends for pivotal movement to the vane portions in equal outwardly spaced relation to the fiexure line of the butterfly vane member whereby to stabilize said vane portions in said container relative to eachother and the container during said liquid expelling movement of said vane portions toward each other to prevent swashing and CG. shift of a liquid in said container between said vane portions relative to said container during the initial position and movement of said vane portionstoward each other during acceleration and G loading of the container in any direction.

'7. In a liquid expulsion system as set forth inclaim 6 including an elongated substantially U-shaped fiexure strip secured across the diameter of said container between the equal vane portions in contact with the face of the vane along the fiexure line thereof for controlling the fiexure of the equal vane portions around said flexureline as the equal vane portions are-moved toward each other.

8. A liquid expulsion system subject to G loadings in any direction comprising a spherical chamber, elongated guide means fixed across said chamber in a plane through a diameter thereof, a pair of circular vane members disposed in back-to-back relation at opposite sides of said elongated guide'means, said vane members having parallel fiexure axes through their diameters perpendicu- Kit lar to said elongated guide means whereby said vane members are bendable around said fiexure axes away from said guide means toward a plane through said fiexure axes perpendicular to the guide means to expel a liquid from said container when contained in said container between the vane portions of the vane members at opposite sides of the fiexure axis, slide block members axially slidable on said elongated guide means between said fiexure axes and the inner surface of said container, rigid link brace members connected at their opposite ends to the vane portions of the vanes at opposite sides of the fiexure axes thereof, each having a central fiexure point fixed to one of the slide block members for stabilizing the relative movement of the vane portions of the vane members toward each other, and means for introducing a pressure fluid into said container between the vane memebrs for moving the vane portions thereof toward each other.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 including a pair of elongated U-shaped fiexure strpis fixed across said chamber along the fiexure axes of said said vane members for controlling the bending thereof around said fixure axes.

16). A system as set forth in claim 9 including a second elongated guide means extending outwardly from one of said U-shaped fiexure strips perpendicular thereto and to the first-mentioned elongated guide means, a secondmentioned slide block member slidable axially on a said second elongated guide means, and rigid link means connected for pivotal movement at its opposite ends to the vane portions of the vane member at that side of the first elongated guide means and connected substantially midway of its length to saidv second-mentionedslide block member at a fiexure point insaid second link member.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10 including a liquid receiving bladder disposed in said chamber between the vane portions of one of said vane members for expulsion of a liquid when contained in said bladder as the vane portions of the vane member are forced toward each other around the fiexure axis thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,858,051 10/58 Cummingham 222-103 3,112,845 12/63 Bryant 222386.5 X

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUlS J. DEMBO, Examiner 

1. A LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE SUBJECT TO INDUCED G LOADING COMPRISING A CONTAINER HAVING A SMOOTH INNER SPHERICAL SURFACE, A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR VANE MEMBERS DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY BACK-TO-BACK RELATION ACROSS A DIAMETER OF SAID SPHERICAL SURFACE WITH THEIR PERIPHERIES IN SUBSTANTAILLY CONTIGUOUS RELATION TO SAID SPHERICAL SURFACE, SAID VANE MEMBERS EACH COMPRISING TWO SEMICIRCULAR HALF PORTIONS ARCUATELY MOVABLE AROUND A SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON FLEXURE AXIS ACROSS THE DIAMETER OF THE SPHERICAL SURFACE TOWARD EACH OTHER, MEANS BETWEEN SAID SEMICIRCULAR HALF PORTIONS OF SAID VANE MEMBERS AND SAID SMOOTH INNER SPHERICAL SURFACE TO PREVENT LIQUID LEAKAGE AROUND THE PERIPHERIES OF SAID SEMICIRCULAR HALF PORTIONS, FOR RETAINING A LIQUID FLUID BETWEEN THE SAID SEMICIRCULAR HALF PORTIONS OF EACH VANE MEMBER AND THE SPHERICAL SURFACE, ADJUSTABLE STABILIZING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE HALF VANE PORTIONS OF EACH OF THE VANE MEMBERS AND SAID CONTAINER FOR STABILIZING THE POSITIONS AND RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE SEMICIRCULAR HALF PORTIONS OF VANE MEMBERS RELATIVE TO THE CONTAINER AND TOWARD EACH OTHER TO DISCHARGE A LIQUID FLUID WHEN CONTAINED THEREBETWEEN AND PREVENT SWASHING AND C.G. SHIFT OF SAID LIQUID DUE TO G LOADING OF THE CONTAINER IN ANY DIRECTION, WHERE- 